I have some things that I need advice on:
Okay, numero uno: I (we) need a new camera. Suggestions? I've heard Nikon is good. We're not millionaires, here. I'd like a good camera that takes decent close up shots. Our current camera is on it's last legs and is basically, for lack of a better word, a little piece of doodoo. Right, to recap - not super expensive, takes good close-ups.
Second thing: I have some beautiful baby dresses that have old spit-up stains on the collars. You know the phantom stains that show up many months after the fact? I've got some Oxy Clean to try, but I didn't know if maybe someone had something that was proven to work.
Last, .... and I don't really know how to word this, because I really don't know what I want. I'd like to make a little money on the side but I have zero business sense. Strike that, I have negative business sense. I tend to give things away. Anyhoo, how do you begin something like that? And, (this is where it gets really fuzzy) what should I do? Any ideas? I like all kinds of crafty stuff, but I'm not super talented at any one thing. I apologize if this is not appropriate blog conversation. I don't really like "talking shop", period.
Alright, in honor of show it off Sat. (I know it's Sunday!), here are the sandals we got at children's place! Didn't have time to make anything this week. :-) These sandals were 10 bucks. 10 bucks! We will definitely wear them 10 times. So, there you go. Dollar's worth!
15 comments:
Danna,
You are so talented you should start selling some of the cute things you make! Your quilts are adorable, the dresses are beautiful, I love the hairbows, what about the photo bracelets - with mother's day coming up I think you could sell some of those or any of the other things too!
I need to find out about old spit-up stains, too. My mother-in-law uses a shout/ammonia/water mixture that works pretty well at getting poop stains out. I haven't tried it on old stains, though. I also would like to make some extra money, but I don't know how to go about selling what I make. Brandon has encouraged me to do something, but I, like you, don't know where to start. Also, you should talk to my husband about cameras. We have a professional-grade Nikon, but I use a small Sony digital camera that takes pretty good pics. Most of the pics on my blog are from the Sony. (It was about $150).
Girl, I think your little shirts w/ the felt on them are adorable! You should check out Etsy, they love handmade and you are certainly good at that.
My camera is similar to this:
http://tinyurl.com/2elnx9
I really like it, and have had it for 2 years now. Good luck!
Personally, I think you should be a lounge singer here in Memphis. Is that inappropriate? You asked for suggestions!
Just caught up---it had been awile. What a fun blogger you are!! I think you should WRITE for a second job--you are fantastic at it!!!
I tutored for a couple of years after H was born. I'll probably go back to tutoring when we move back to Texas, but it was a nice at-home job, and I didn't have to work too many hours a week to make a decent amount of money.
Love the sandals! I was bragging today about some $13 super cute jeans I got at the Children's Place for H. We'll definitely wear them 13 times because they're huge right now. B thinks he looks like a gangster because he's busting a sag!;)
We have a Nikon camera and we love it but it is rather expensive. I gave it to Eric for his birthday/Father's Day/Valentine's...you get the drift!
As far as the stubborn stains go, I spray some Resolve on the stain and throw it immediately in the wash. I got that tip from a friend of mine and it works so well!
You are very talented when it comes to the things you make but if you're wanting to get away from that, I have to suggest something - sell Pampered Chef! I've been a consultant now for over 3 years and I LOVE it! You earn great income, free products, and can earn great incentive trips plus much more! Start up cost is very reasonable too! If you're interested in hearing more about it (that goes for Hannah too!), leave me your e-mail address and I will contact you!
I think you should sell the cute clothes you make. My girls love what you've made for them! As for getting started, make some fliers or business cards and give them to your Mom to take to work, leave some at the girls' schools, and pass them out to friends. That's a good place to start... lots of kids that always need lots of stuff!! You could also start a blog to show off your stuff. Most of all, embrace your talent and so will everyone else!!!
I have a Cannon camera and LOVE it. In fact, I lost it after about 4 weeks and had to buy it again...then i found it 6 months later - I think I just revealed how scatterbrained I am! Anyway, it is a great camera! It is the powershot I think - the one that the tennis player endorses.
About what you can do for extra money, I would say name it...you are so talented. Jenny is right on the money, make flyers with what you can do and pass them out. Also giving them as gifts gets the idea out there. I am sure if people know what you are doing is for sale they will buy for sure. I also loved the shirts you made, the bows, the dresses. I am not a sales person either but you have to embrace what you "sell" and know that it took you time to do it and your time is worth it! Good luck!
My personal opinion is that it is worth the extra $$ to get a SLR when you have kids. The Nikon D-40 is a really good one. We have the semi-professional Nikon digital but my friends with the D-40 seem to do really well too. I think it is in the $400-ish range. The lense it usually comes with is good for close shots but if you want to zoom you may need an additional lense. You will also need an sd card. I did the digital point and shoot for a while and while it was cheaper it was hard to get good pics of three kids, each going a different direction. If I would have saved that $$ it would have been better since I ended up replacing it anyway. KWIM?
About stains: one of my friends soaks the stained thing in Biz or Oxi-clean in the washer for a day (I think...I may need to get back with you on that).
About cameras: I bought a Canon PowerShot S3 a little over a year ago. I like it because I can use it to get good pictures without knowing every detail about the camera. I also like the fact that I can learn more about it when I have the chance and time and be able to do other cool things. It was cheaper because the S5 version had just come out. I took the suggestion from a photographer friend of ours. The Nikon does seem amazing but I didn't want or have the money to spend on that.
About money: This selling things you make might be something to check into because I am already wanting to see more of the clothes you have made as well as the phot bracelets that Amy Barrett mentioned. :) I personally want to learn more about mystery shopping. If I find anything out I'll let you know. Woo...long comment...sorry! :)
We pooled some of the Wal-Mart cards we got as wedding gifts to buy a new camera...that was 2 years ago and it's still going strong!! We've loved it. I'll try to email it to you. We bought it at Sam's for ~$250 or so. It's a Kodak Easy Share Z??? model. I'm pretty sure that Toby/Becca and Robin Guile both have a Nikon. They are really good, too; if you're wanting to spend more.
Danna,
Hey girl. We have a Canon Powershot (Elph) camera. It has been a great camera. I love the size and the pictures it takes. It's an easy camera to use. We take it everywhere because it is not bulky. It is affordable, too.
About work. . . what about ebay? You could make a store, sell some of your own things and also sell high end children's clothes that are easily worn. For instance, you would sell them for other people who don't want to. They get payed and you get a cut of what they make. I would love to find someone to do this with me so that we could split up the work, but I haven't done it yet.
Also, I tagged you! No pressure if you don't want to do it.
Dani
Hey, I tagged you on my blog. It's on "Out Of The Mouths Of Two Babes And A Babe".
You should sell the smocked dresses you make! Or you could give lessons for money ~ not free! You seem to be very creative...
We need a new camera, too. If we buy first, I'll tell you what we went with, and you do the same for me!
I forgot about the stains - OxiClean works WONDERS!
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